A gambling game or method of raising money in which tickets are sold for a chance to win a prize based on a random drawing. The prize can be anything from small items to large sums of money. A lottery is typically regulated to ensure fairness and legality. Also called lotto, Lotta, and l
A selection made by chance: a lottery determines the students who will get into the program.
Something whose success or result depends on luck rather than on effort or careful organization: She’s lucky enough to be invited to the party, but not smart enough to plan ahead and come prepared.
An activity that carries an uncertain outcome: We drew numbers for the school lottery, and the winners will be announced tomorrow.
People play the lottery all over the world and spend billions of dollars a year. Some people play for fun, while others think that winning the lottery is their ticket to a better life. The odds are against them, but they keep playing because there is always that tiny sliver of hope that they will be the one to win. I have talked to many lottery players, and the stories are surprising. They defy the stereotypes that I expect when I meet someone who plays the lottery. They are not stupid, but they do not understand how the odds work. They believe that they are doing their civic duty by buying a lottery ticket, and that even if they lose, it will somehow make up for the money that the state loses in tax revenue.